Friday, March 26, 2010

King Taco

King Taco has been open for several years in Old Town, but I'd only eaten there twice, both years ago, and neither time was I impressed. The food just didn't taste very fresh. This was the fifth or sixth King Taco I had been to, and by far my least favorite. It wasn't terrible but if it was late at night I much preferred the taco truck that used to be in the parking lot on Fair Oaks and Union, where The Container Store is now. During the day, I preferred heading up Fair Oaks a few blocks to El Taquito, which I've always thought was several times better than King Taco.

But I was meeting my friend Bryce to drink some beer and watch some March Madness, so I figured I could use a little snack first. This was about 4 in the afternoon and King Taco was as uncrowded as I have ever seen it. I ordered one chicken taco and one carne asada, both with hot sauce. The food was ready in less than a minute. The two tacos and a drink cost just over four dollars.

The chicken taco was much better than I remembered, but the carne asada was the same. I can't really complain too much about a taco that cost $1.25, especially when I ate all of it, but this tasted like carne that had been sitting around for a day or two. If I return - which may well be a few more years - I will stick to the chicken.

Overall, I have to say I like King Taco. It serves its dual purpose of feeding the lunch crowds and the late night crowds (they're open very late on the weekends). It's nice to have a few places left that are inexpensive and easy. But I'm more excited about the hot dog joint opening next door than I am about returning to King Taco.

8 comments:

That's the rumor, but you know how things work in this town. I do like the idea of it, though - the deli replacing Famima!!, a new hot dog place, etc. It'll be nice to have some more options when you don't want a sit-down meal.

Yeah, it's a bit of a contradiction. But I like more what it represents - a place where my dad or my friend Tracie (both of who work within 100 yards) can grab a quick bite at lunch and get change back from a ten, you know? I'd rather Bada Bing or Rock Island Wraps were still around but King Taco will do. It's nothing special but it's not bad.